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Enjoy the flavors of a classic shrimp boil in record time thanks to this easy Instant Pot Shrimp Boil recipe! With tender red potatoes, savory smoked sausage, sweet corn, juicy shrimp, and the perfect combination of seasonings, this recipe delivers classic flavors in just 15 minutes.
Instant Pot Shrimp Boil at a Glance
- Serves: 6
- Ready in 15 Minutes: Includes prep time, pressure build-up, cook time, and pressure release.
- Suited For: Summer cookouts, effortless entertaining, and easy weeknight dinners.
- Key Ingredient: Frozen jumbo shrimp is essential so the shrimp does not overcook before the potatoes and corn are tender.
- Why This Recipe: It delivers classic shrimp boil flavor in a scaled-down, weeknight-friendly way, without the messy aftermath or need for a giant pot.
Recipe Highlights
Kristen's Key Tips for Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
Nothing says summer like a Southern shrimp boil, but hauling out a huge pot and waiting for water to boil is not exactly my idea of an easy weeknight dinner.
After several rounds of testing, I found that the Instant Pot can deliver those same classic shrimp boil flavors effortlessly, as long as you follow a few key tips. Here is what matters:
- Use frozen jumbo shrimp. Fresh, thawed, or smaller shrimp will overcook before the potatoes and corn are tender.
- Layer in the correct order. Potatoes go on the bottom because they need the most heat, while shrimp go on top to protect them from overcooking.
- Quick release immediately. That prevents the shrimp from overcooking and becoming rubbery.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
- Frozen Jumbo Shrimp: I typically opt for deveined, shelled shrimp to keep the mess of eating to a minimum. But using frozen jumbo shrimp still in their shells will add deeper flavor to the dish. Smaller, fresh, or thawed shrimp are not recommended.
- Sausage: Select pre-cooked andouille, smoked sausage, or kielbasa. All are delicious.
- Potatoes: Red potatoes are traditional, but feel free to use Yukon Gold potatoes if that is what you have on hand.
- Beer: A mild lager, such as Corona or Coors Light, adds depth without making the shrimp boil taste like beer. If you prefer not to use beer, chicken stock or seafood stock works well.
- Corn on the Cob: Use fresh, husked corn on the cob, broken into 2-3 pieces, or defrosted frozen corn cobs.
- Old Bay: Use store-bought or homemade Old Bay Seasoning for classic flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is key here. Bottled lemon juice will leave a bitter, artificial taste.
How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
If you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot, start with my guide on how to use an Instant Pot. Otherwise, this pressure cooker shrimp boil is about as easy as it gets!
- Layer ingredients. In the following order, add the diced potatoes, sliced sausage, corn, bay leaves, garlic, and shrimp to the inner pot. Pour in the beer (or stock) and fresh lemon juice, then sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning.
- Pressure cook. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the vent knob is sealed, then use the Manual or Pressure Cook button and set to cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- Immediately release pressure. Once the cook time has elapsed, immediately release pressure by slowly knocking the venting knob from the sealed to the venting position with a long wooden spoon. Stand back a bit to avoid getting burned by the steam.
- Prepare lemon butter. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, additional fresh lemon juice, and minced parsley together. You can do this while the shrimp boil is pressure-cooking to maximize the time.
- Season and serve. Remove the bay leaves and pour the lemon butter over the shrimp boil. Serve immediately with hot sauce on the side.
Serving Suggestions
Shrimp Boil is traditionally spread out on sheet pans or newspapers after cooking. I personally recommend serving this Old Bay Instant Pot Shrimp Boil on a platter that can retain all the delicious cooking juices, as those juices are perfect for soaking up with homemade Italian bread or crusty whole wheat Dutch oven bread.
You can round out this classic Southern meal with a homemade peach cobbler or homemade banana pudding. It may just be the best meal of the year.
Storage Tips
Instant Pot Shrimp Boil is best served right away, while the shrimp are juicy and the potatoes are tender. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water just until heated through. Avoid microwaving for too long, as shrimp can turn rubbery quickly, and nobody came here for seafood erasers.
Instant Pot Shrimp Boil FAQs
I prefer purchasing peeled, deveined shrimp, as they are easier to eat. That said, unpeeled shrimp will add flavor to the overall dish and help to keep the shrimp juicy. It is truly a personal preference.
Yes! If you use fresh or defrosted shrimp, or smaller shrimp such as medium or large, they will overcook in the time it takes to cook your potatoes and corn.
I don't recommend doubling this recipe in a 6-quart Instant Pot, as the pot can become too full to cook evenly and safely. For a larger batch, use an 8-quart Instant Pot or cook in two batches.
For a spicier Cajun-style Shrimp Boil, use 1 tablespoon each of both Old Bay and Cajun Seasoning rather than 2 tablespoons of Old Bay Seasoning.
More Delicious One-Pot Instant Pot Recipes
Love easy all-in-one Instant Pot dinners? Don't miss the following recipes:
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red potatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 12 ounces smoked sausage, cut in 1-inch slices
- 2 ears corn on the cob, cut in thirds
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 1 pound raw, frozen jumbo shrimp, tails on, peeled or unpeeled
- 8 ounces light beer or stock *for 6-quart model
- 12 ounces light beer or stock *for 8-quart model
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice, for shrimp boil
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice, for seasoned butter
Instructions
- In the following order, layer potatoes, sliced sausage, corn cobs, minced garlic, and bay leaves inside the inner pot. Place the frozen shrimp right on top of the corn. Pour 8 ounces light beer or stock *for 6-quart model or 12 ounces light beer or stock *for 8-quart model (see recipe notes if using a 3-quart model).
- Add 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and be sure the vent knob is sealed. Set to cook on high pressure for 2 minutes by hitting "manual" or "pressure cook" and using the +/- buttons to adjust the time until it reads "2."
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, do a quick release of pressure by carefully knocking the venting knob from the sealed to the venting position using a long spoon (stand back to protect yourself from the steam).
- Combine 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted) with 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley and ½ tablespoon lemon juice together in a small bowl. Pour over the shrimp mixture and toss to coat, removing the bay leaves as you come across them.
- Serve immediately
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for my sons birthday a few days ago. It was gone in seconds!! I’ll definitely be making this again. Thank You 🙏
YOu are so welcome! I am honored this was your son's birthday dinner. I hope he had a great day!
Great recipe mine turned out great. My wife loved it. Not too spicy.thanks
You are so welcome! Happy to hear you both enjoyed.
This is a perfect go-to recipe for days when I have plans but my boyfriend is staying home. It’s super quick and easy for me to pull it together for him, and then it’s an opportunity for him to have something different that my picky self won’t eat!
I used Modelo as the beer because it’s what we regularly have on hand, and I added some diced and roughly sliced yellow onion to the pot as well. I was told that the broth had a thicker consistency than when he’s had shrimp boils before (because of the beer), and it made a positive difference. I made it without sausage the first time to make sure the recipe was worth it before adding that extra investment, and he LOVED it. So I made it again with andouille sausage, and it was even more of a hit.
Thanks for an awesome recipe and easy added variety!
I have never commented on recipes before since I typically have to tweak some for the flavors my husband and I enjoy. This recipe is perfect exactly as written. I’ve made this multiple times and it’s so fast and easy for a weeknight dinner.- our guests think I slaved all day when I’ve made it for company 😜. Spot on recipe! Thank you!
This was amazing!!! I just made it for my husband and I! Great idea for the bread because the juice is so delicious!! Definitely will be making it again! Thanks so much!!
Thanks for taking the time to share you enjoyed Lori!
I rarely leave a recipe comment but this dish was so phenomenal, delicious, and easy! I used andouille sausage and cajun seasoning, and will DEFINITELY be making this again! Every component was cooked (and seasoned) properly. Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
You are so welcome Stephanie 🙂 Thank you for leaving a comment--I really appreciate it!
This was so good!!! And unbelievably easy!!! I never cease to be amazed by how quickly the Instant Pot packs in hours of flavor in such a short time. This recipe had amazing flavor as though it was been simmering in a pot for hours. Delicious. And the jumbo raw, frozen shrimp was a must follow tip to avoid chewy, rubbery shrimp. We’ll be having this again!!
I LOVE hearing you enjoyed this so much Brenda! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review and comment.
Made this tonight using andouille sausage and homemade chicken broth (instead of beer). It was delicious. Served it with fresh-from-the-oven French bread to sop up the juices. The whole family loved it.
Thanks for sharing Jennifer! Nothing beats serving with homemade bread either 🙂